Tablet-compressing machine



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H. CLARK. TABLET GOMPRESSING MAGHINB. N0. 573,443. Patented 1360.22, 1896.

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H,L.0LARK TABLET GUMPRBSSING MACHINE.

Nm 573,443. Patente-d Deu. 22, 1896;

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CLARK. TABLET GOMPRESS'ING MACHINE. No. 573,443. Patented Dec. 22, 1896,

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HORACE L. CLARK, OF BEAVER DAM, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO AUGUSTUS ARMSTRONG, OF ALBERT LEA, MINNESOTA.

TABLET-COIVIPRESSING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 573,443, dated December 22, 1896.

Application filed July 3, 1896. Serial No. 597,989. (No model.)

To r/,ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE L. CLARK, of Beaver Dam, in the county of Dodge and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain 5 new and useful Improvementsin Tablet-Compressing Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which io corresponding letters of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.v

My invention has for its object the accomplishment of the following purposes, viz: To so construct a tablet-compressing machine that the powder or material from which the tablet is formed may be automatically fed into a measuring device which may be so constructed and adjusted as to cause itto4 measure automatically any desired or predezo termined quantity with accuracy and uniformity, thereby producing lozenges or tablets of unvarying size and weight.

A further object is to so construct the compressing mechanism as to enable it to be read- 2 5 ily adjusted to conform to the requirements of the measuring device, and, finally, it is my purpose to so construct, arrange, and adjust the entire mechanism that it may be operated lwith certainty and accuracy while developing 3o a speed beyond that of machines hitherto constructed for a like purpose.

To these ends my invention consists in the combination of elements hereinafter more particularly described, and definitely pointed out in the claims. A

In the drawings, Figure l is a front eleva* tion of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same, taken upon the line 2 2, Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of 4o the arrow there shown, the main shaft, upon which the driving-pulley is mounted, being broken oft'. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken upon the line 3 3, Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view of said machine, a part of the same being broken oif at the right. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view in detail of the feeding mechanism, and Fig. 6 is a rear View of said machine.

Referring to the drawings, a indicates the 5 o frame of the machine, which consists of a casting sufficiently heavy and strong to withstand -in the bar d.

the strain and impact to which the machine is subjected at high speed. Supported in suitable bearin gs in the frame is the drivin g-shaft l), upon which is mounted a driving-pulley. (Not shown in the drawings.) The middle portion of the shaft b is cut away, so as to form a crank or eccentric c, Figs. 2, 4, and 6, which is operatively connected with a sliding bar d, arranged to slide longitudinally in a suit-able guide formed in the frame. The bar d is strongly constructed and is provided with an elongated recess e therein, Figs. 2 and 6, sufficiently wide to permit the eccentric` c to rotate in the path indicated in the dotted lines shown irl-Fig. so as to enable the bar d to be reciprocated in a straight line. Within the recess e I place a loose block f, Figs. 4` and 6, the forward end of which is provided with a notched curve to iit the eccentric c, 7o while the rear end is rounded, as shown in Fig. 6, to fit loosely within a notch f', formed It will thus be 'seen that the block f takes the place of an ordinary pitman, against which the eccentric bears to move the bar d in one direction, while the opposite movement is accomplished by means of direct contact with the bar itself.

Themovement of the bar d is intended, primarily, to accomplish the compression of the 8o tablet by means of a plunger g, Figs. l, 3, t, and 6, which is tapped into a lug h, Figs. l and 4, and secured from displacement by means of a jam-nut t'. Mounted in suitable bearings in the frame is a horizontal shaft j, having thereon a beveled gear 7c, adapted to be driven by means of a corresponding gear upon the main shaft l). A third shaft Z, which I term the feed-shaft,77 is arranged above and parallel with the shaft j, the two being connected by means of a sprocket-chain m, Figs. l and 2, adapted to engage with sprocketwheels mounted upon the shafts j Z, respectively, as clearly shown.

The feed-shaft Z isextended into a hopper 'fn.,`into which the powder is placed which is IOC between similar stationary teeth p, located at the bottom of the hopper and extended upwardly and obli-quely over a feed-opening q, formed in the bottom of the hopper. The feed-opening consists of an elongated slot of uniform width formed in the top 0f a hollow cylinder T, into which is fitted a reciprocating plunger T, mounted upon a rod T2, which passes loosely through a lug d, extending from and rigidly attached to the bar d. A nut T3 is placed upon the outer end of the rod T2, between which and the lug df is interposed a spiral spring T4, which tends normally to withdraw the plunger from the cylinder. An adjusting-nut T5 is adapted to be engaged by the lug d", which serves to push the plunger into the cylinder in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter stated. A bar s, Figs. l, 5, and (i, is pivoted, as shown, to the outside of the hopper, and the lower end is brought into contact with the plunger T', while a setscrew s' at the upper end enables the bar to be so adjusted as to limit the outward movement of the plunger. The purpose of this feature will be hereinafter explained.

Keyed or otherwise rigidly attached to a shaft t, Fig. 4, is a disk u, Figs. l, 3, 4, and 5, having near its periphery and at equal distances from each other a series of cylindrical openings u of a diameter adapted to receive and fit the plungers T and g, respectively. The main body of the disk u consists of a thin sheet of metal, while the openings are provided with cylindrical extensions u2, Figs.

' l, 4, and 5, the inner ends of which abut against the Hat smooth face of a bracket or projection fr, formed upon or attached to the frame. Aspace a3, as shown in said figures, is thus formed between the part if and the disk, of sufficient width to correspond to the thickness of the thickest tablet which the machine is intended to form. Upon the inner end of the shaft t is keyed a disk (shown in Fig. 4 and indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3,) which is intended to form one member of a rotary stop mechanism designed to give the disk u a quarter-revolution with each complete revolution of the shaft j, so that the cylindrical openings u may be brought successively into registration withthe plungers T and g, the former registration being indicated in Fig. 5 and the latter in Fig. 4.

There are four rentrant curves 2 formed, in the periphery of the disk t at equal distances apart, the curve of each of which is made to conform to the contour of the cylindrical hubj upon the shaftj. In the face of the disk and intersecting each-other at right angles are grooves t', adapted to be engaged by a pin j?, mounted upon an arm jg, projecting from the hub j. A curved recess j* in the hub j is adapted to receive the eX- tended portions of the disk t as the two are rotated. \Vith each revolution of the shaft j the pin engages with one of the notches t3 and moves the disk t one-quarter of a revolution, when, one of the curved notches t2 being in engagement with the hub j', the disk is thereby prevented from rotating either way and the openings u are thereby brought into exact registration with the plungers T g and there retained during the operation of said plungers. This rotary stop mechanism permits of a positive action and enables the machine to be driven at a high rate of speed, while at the same time insuring accuracy of registration.

In alinement with the plunger g and rigidly secured or formed within the frame is a hollow cylindrical die g, Fig. 4, within which is permanently located a plunger w, having a body w', extending back into close proximity to an adjustable stop Figs. l and 4. The stop is arranged obliquely to the axis of the frame, and upon the upper end is formed a rod 0c', which is extended through the frame and secured in position by means of an adjustin g-nut, as shown. rl'he lower end of the block rests against a rigid shoulder a', Figs. l and 4, projecting from the frame, which forms a solid abutment therefor, while the block c in turn serves as an abutment for the part w. The raising or lowering of the block a: by means of the nut at the top causes the latter to be brought closer to or removed farther from the rear end of the part w', thereby determining the possible longitudinal movement of the latter, the position of which when resting against the stop 0c determines the thickness of the tablets to be compressed.

The compression of the tablets is accomplished by forcing partially-compressed tablets into the die g and against the end of the plunger w, which recedes until the part w' abuts against the stop 0c. An arm y, Figs. l and 4, the forward end of which is rounded, as shown, is rigidly attached to the main shaft CL and when rotated is, with each revolution of the shaft, brought into engagement with a shoulder w? upon the part yw', which serves to throw the plunger w forward with a quick stroke, thereby expelling the compressed tablet from the die.

Having thus described the various parts of my improved machine, I will now explain its operation.

The hopper being supplied with powder, the set-screw s is so adj usted as to limit the backward movement of the plunger T through the action 0f the bar s, as shown in Fig. 5, so that only the desired quantity of powder can be forced into the measuring receptacle or cylinder T. The movement of the feed-comb 0 is so timed that the powder is forced into the cylinder while the plunger is in the position shown in said figure. rIhe forward movement of the block CZ causes the lug d/ to be brought into contact with the nut T5, thus forcing the plunger?" forward and compressing the powderinto the cylinder u2 and against the face of the part o. The forward movement of the plunger is not sufficient to cause its end to be brought quite to the cylinder u2, and hence the movement of the disk fa, which IOO IIO

occurs immediately upon the withdrawal of the plunger r', shears loft' a portion of the partially-compressed tablet and leaves it in the end of the cylinder r adjacent to the cylinder 'a2 until the next forward movement of the plunger occurs, when it is discharged, with the accumulated material, into'the next cylinder u2, which is automatically presented. The tablet, which is partially compressed by the plunger fr' into the cylinder u2, is carried forward by means of the rotary stop mechanism described a quarter of a revolution to a position in registration with the die in which is located the plunger w, when, by the foru'iard movement of the plunger g, it is compressed with great force into the die and against the end of the plunger w, which is pushed back until the part fw is arrested by means of the abutment 0c. This action completes the formation and compression of the tablet. The disk u is then rotated after the withdrawal of the plunger g, when the arm fy, striking suddenly in its rotation against the shoulder 102, forces the plunger zu forward with a quick stroke, thereby causing the expulsion of the tablet from the die into the space n3 between the disk and the face of the part o.

The thickness of the tablet is determined by the relative distance between the part w and the face of the wedge-shaped block This distance may be adjusted with the utmost degree of fineness by means of the nut at the top of the screw-threaded portion The relative weight of the tablets may be determined by the amount of the material fed with each revolution of the comb into the cylinder r, which amount may be controlled by means of an adjustable stop adapted to limit the backward movement of the plunger r The lever s and set-screw s' represent one means for accomplishing this result, which, it is obvious, may be secured in other ways.

Should it be desirable to produce a certain number of tablets. to a given weight, such number may be weighed, and if found too heavy. or too light the feed may be adjusted through the set-screw s until the desired result is attained, which adjustment may be made without stopping the machine.

In view of the fact that my improved machine is positive in its action throughout, in'- cluding that of the feed, I am enabled to run it at a much higher rate of speed than that of machines heretofore made without varying the weight or impairing the quality of the tablets formed therein.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A tablet-compressing machine in which are combined a hopper for the reception of the loose material, a measuring-receptacle in operative communication therewith, means for positively feeding the loose material to said A measuring-receptacle, a reciprocating plunger adapted to partially compress and force said material out of said measuring-receptacle, a suitable conveyor into which the material is forced, and acompressing-die to which the said partially -compressed material is transferred, substantially as described.

2. In a tablet-compressing machine, the combination of a hopper for the reception of the loose material, a '1neasuring-receptacle in operative communication therewith, a feed mechanism for positively feeding the loose material to the measuring-receptacle at regularintervals, a reciprocating plunger adapted to partially compress and force said material out of said measming-receptacle, a suitable conveyer into which the material is forced, means for adjusting the longitudinal movement of said plunger whereby the quantity of material to be compressed with each movement may be predetermined and automatically measured,and a com pressin g-die to which the said partially compressed material is transferred, substantially as described.

3. The combination in a tablet-compressing machine, of a hopper for the reception of the loose material, an adjustable measuring-receptacle, means for positively forcing said loose material into said measiuing-receptacle at stated intervals, a rotary conveyer provided with a series of receptacles for receiving said tablets when partially compressed, a compressing-die into operative proximity to which the said partially-compressed material is conveyed, and means for actuating said rotary conveyer in harmony with the movement of said measuring device, substantially as described. i i i 4:. The combination in a tablet-compressing machine, of ahopper for holding the loose material, a m easuring-receptacle in operative connection therewith, a rotary feed mechanism for positively feeding the loose material to said measuring-receptacle, means for automatically measuring the material therein, means for partially compressing the material into a tablet, a compressing-die, and means for removing the partially-compressed tablet thereto, substantially as described.

5. The combination in a tablet-compressing machine, of a hopper, a measuring-receptacle directly communicating with said hopper, an adjustable plunger for adjusting themeasurement of the material, means for recipro-v cating said plunger at regular intervals, a rotary sector-shaped feeding device having a series of obliquely-arranged fingers upon its periphery, a series teeth in said hopper ar-` j ming-receptacle of a tablet-making machine,

of the rotary sector-shaped feeding device 1ocated in the hopper, said device having a se- IOO IIO

ries of obliquely-projecting teeth upon its periphery a feed-opening forming communication betweenV the hopper and measuring-receptacle, and a series of stationary teeth adjusted to coact with the teeth of the rotary feeding device and arranged to project obliquely over said feed-openingin an opposite direction from the course of movement of said device, whereby the material is directed and positively forced into the opening as a result of the opposite inclination of the opposing teeth, substantially as described.

7. In a tablet-making machine, the combination with a measurin g-receptacle and means for forcing the material therein, of a reciprocatin g plunger for forcing the material out of the measuring-receptacle, a rotary disk having a series of openings in its face adapted to register with said meastiring-receptacle, a rotary stop mechanism for actuating said disk in harmony with the movement of said plunger, a compressing-die, a compressing-plunger, a secondary plunger within the die, and means for thrusting the latter forward to expel the tablet after compression, substantially as described.

S. The combination in a tablet-machine, of a hopper, a measuring-receptacle in which to measure the tablet, a compressing-die, means for transferring the measured material to the compressing-die, a compressing-plunger adapted to force the partially-formed tablet into the compressing-die, a movable plunger within said die, an adjustable stop for limiting its backward movement to determine the thickness of the tablet, and means for suddenly forcing said plunger forward after the Withdrawal of said colnpressing-plun ger, substantially as specified.

9. The combination in a tablet-compressing machine, of a stationary compressing-die, means for presenting the material thereto for compression, a reciprocating compressingplunger, means for actuating the same, a movable plunger within said die, a stop for limiting its backward movement to gage the depth of the die, a lateral projection upon the body of said plunger, and a rotary arm adapted to engage with said projection after each backward movement of the compressingdie, substantially as described.

l0. The combination in a tablet-compressing machine, of a main shaft and eccentric, a reciprocating bar adapted to be actuated thereby, a measuring-plunger and compressing-plunger respectively, in operative connection with said bar, a measuring-receptacle, means for feeding the material thereto, a compressing-die, and means for automatically transferring the material from the measuring-receptacle to said compressingdie, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 17th day of April, 189.6.

HORACE L. CLARK. Titnessesz D. H. FLETCHER, DE WITT W. CHAMBERLIN. 

